Wildlife in Wales is at a crisis point, a groundbreaking report by a coalition of leading conservation and research organisations has concluded.

Despite notable conservation successes in recent years, the report concludes that the overall and “inexorable decline of wildlife continues unabated”.

Scientists from 25 wildlife organisations have worked side-by-side to compile a stock-take of our native species – the first of its kind in Wales and the UK.

The report reveals that across the UK, over the past half-century, 60% of species studied have declined, with one in 10 facing extinction.

The State of Nature report was launched by TV and wildlife presenter Iolo Williams, alongside conservation charities in Wales, at Techniquest, Cardiff Bay last night. Simultaneous events were held in London, Edinburgh and Belfast.

Dr Trevor Dines, conservation manager for Plantlife Cymru and an author on the Welsh report, said: “Wales is blessed with some fantastic and unique wildlife, but it is declining, the pressures it faces are growing, and our responses are not ambitious enough.

“The next decade is a tipping point and we must act in order to make a difference; otherwise we will see the extinction of species at a local level not seen before in Wales.”

The report looks at quantitative assessments of the population or distribution trends of 3,148 species from across the UK. Of these, 60% of species have declined over the past 50 years and 31% have declined strongly.

It says in Wales, the picture is far from complete – one of the key findings of the report is how relatively little we know about the health of our wildlife and natural resources.

But despite the grim picture painted by the report, there have been some notable conservation successes, its authors have said.

“There are examples of where the fortunes of our wildlife has been turned around,” it says

“In contrast to elsewhere, hen harriers are slowly increasing in the North Wales uplands and the Welsh black grouse population has continued to respond to targeted conservation management alongside agriculture and game management, though their geographic range has continued to shrink.

“By and large, bats are doing well and some species even seem to be increasing.”

Rachel Sharp, CEO of Wildlife Trusts Wales, said: “We need to recognise that nature is our life support system, and essential to our wellbeing and prosperity.

“As a new body that brings together such a comprehensive suite of responsibilities for managing the environment – from conservation to forestry to coastal management – NRW is uniquely placed to drive action for nature.”

Sinead Lynch, who works for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, said: “Bumblebees are declining in Wales mainly due to the loss of flower-rich habitat such as meadows and pastures.

“The good news is that everybody can do something to help.

“For example, farmers can contribute to increasing diverse habitats by using native clover leys and allowing field strips and corners to remain uncut and sensitively grazed.

“Gardeners can grow native wildflowers local to their area and landowners can ensure that grasslands, heathlands and other habitats are managed to support a diversity of native wildflowers and other nectar and pollen-rich plants.”